We’ve been away for a bit due to summer activities but are glad to reconnect and continue our series on church offices—specifically elders and deacons. We’ve discussed elders as men who hold teaching and authoritative roles, but when it comes to deacons, we face some interpretive questions, especially about verse 11 in 1 Timothy 3. The passage mentions “women” and their qualifications, which some understand as the wives of deacons, while others see it as referring to women serving as deaconesses. We recognize that respected theologians hold differing views on whether women can serve as deacons. We see that the role of deacon is one of service, distinct from the authority elders have, allowing for the possibility of women serving in that capacity without undermining biblical complementarianism. We also consider how a deacon’s spouse—whether a believer or not—can profoundly impact the ministry, highlighting the importance of character and integrity for both the deacon and their wife. Serving well as a deacon brings both a good reputation in the church and greater confidence in one’s faith in Christ. We encourage you to appreciate and thank the deacons in your life, recognizing their vital, often challenging, ministry. Finally, we urge grace and charity toward differing convictions about deacons’ roles, promoting unity and wisdom rather than division. Together, we seek to live out these truths faithfully in our local churches.